I'm in the process of installing Pelican 1550s on my '11 990R with Happy Trails SU racks...my question is, at what angle should they be mounted? Does it matter? I've seen several pictures of the KTM factory systems and the panniers seem to be angled to match the seat/decal lines. Is there a practical reason for this or do I mount them using the angle of the rack? Thanks!

Maoule

01-13-2013 05:34 PM

Anyone? bump

zeegman

01-13-2013 05:46 PM

Top angle of the bags

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maoule
(Post 20474619)

I'm is the process of installing Pelican 1550s on my '11 990R with Happy Trails SU racks...my question is, at what angle should they be mounted? Does it matter? I've seen several pictures of the KTM factory systems and the panniers seem to be angled to match the seat/decal lines. Is there a practical reason for this or do I mount them using the angle of the rack? Thanks!

My guess, and it is only a guess, is that it angled down in front to make it easier for passengers to get on and off and for you to swing your leg over it when getting on and off when you don't have a passenger.

Another thing to consider it the height the bags need to be to clear the road surface when you have the bike leaned over in turns. Not sure what the best height it should be for that.

MZ

Xtremjeepn

01-14-2013 09:22 AM

I've built several Pelican based systems for my various bikes and also have several factory systems. Honestly, I think its just personal taste based on the lines of the bike. Most seem to have some angle to them.

Thanks for the replies. I was playing with the angles last night and liked the seat angle best. Because I couldn't come up with a reason against it, that is now the plan.

Xtremjeepn

01-14-2013 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maoule
(Post 20481752)

Thanks for the replies. I was playing with the angles last night and liked the seat angle best. Because I couldn't come up with a reason against it, that is now the plan.

Post up pictures when they are done:D

beergut

01-14-2013 11:24 AM

Tour-a-tech told me there is no right or wrong way to mount panniers. Generally, for 1 up riding, panniers are mounted level to the seat with TT racks.

Happy-trail will tell you that they mount theirs at an angle for 2 up riding.

Others will say that a angle mounted pannier is to clear heals when riding with the feet off the pegs.

I think it boils down to complete owner or manufacture preference. On my KLR, I mounted the front about 5" lower than the front.

Maoule

01-14-2013 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xtremjeepn
(Post 20481765)

Post up pictures when they are done:D

Will do... I received my fastgun locks today; made the lid keeper cables; just waiting for the puck mounting kit from Happy:twitch

Two Moto Kiwis

01-14-2013 04:34 PM

Another thing to consider is the weight height, if you are not needing the off road ground clearance then keeping them lower and forward will help your handling dramatically on the shingle or sandpits.

Just my 2 cents:clap

Maoule

01-14-2013 05:52 PM

My thought is to keep enough room for the passenger pegs, in case, by some miracle, I convince my wife to ride again (she's still pissed about the the $13G:evil). After that, it's all about keeping everything down and forward. Thanks for the input...and hey, 2mK, you guys be careful out there and g'luck:clap

Two Moto Kiwis

01-14-2013 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maoule
(Post 20485348)

Thanks for the input...and hey, 2mK, you guys be careful out there and g'luck:clap

You are welcome and thank you so much, likewise to keep the rubber bits down .... it's cheaper :D

Xtremjeepn

01-14-2013 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maoule
(Post 20485348)

My thought is to keep enough room for the passenger pegs.....After that, it's all about keeping everything down and forward. T

I know lots of guys like the solo seat effect and its undesirable to ride your buddies around.......but......I've had to ride a stranded motorist/rider before so I keep passenger capabilities for emergency use.

WeBeRidin

01-14-2013 07:05 PM

You might want to consider mounting cases at the angle of your rack and symmetrical front to back. That way your cases can mount on either side of your bike and are interchangeable.

Xtremjeepn

01-14-2013 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeBeRidin
(Post 20485932)

You might want to consider mounting cases at the angle of your rack and symmetrical front to back. That way your cases can mount on either side of your bike and are interchangeable.

FWIW none of mine are semetrical and I have not come up with a reason to need that feature yet.

The home brew R1 and KLR racks and bags ended up being side specific due to the way it had to mount to the bike. Which I'm sure the factories run into the same issue and that is why the factory bags on the KTM and BMW Dakar are both side specific too.

Grizzz4440

01-14-2013 07:41 PM

Level

Make them level with your top box, then U can stack more gear on them 4 that adv. ride. :D :D